Breville Barista Express vs Bambino: Battle Of the 2 Top Beginner Coffee Machines On the Market

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For espresso lovers, picking between 2 popular Breville Barista Express vs Bambino machines can be challenging.

Nevertheless, in any case, the first thing to realize when it comes to espresso is that different machines are designed differently. Breville Barista Express, for example, provides greater control and comes with a built-in grinder. Everything a home espresso enthusiast needs to prepare espresso at home is included in this machine.

In the Breville Bambino, the grinder isn’t included, so it’s more compact and lightweight. It has an easy-to-use button control interface as well as a quick heat-up time function. As a result, it is an ideal choice for a quick and delicious espresso shot along with excellent steamed milk.

Breville Barista Express vs Bambino: Comparison Chart

Image
The Winner (#1)
Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870XL, Brushed Stainless Steel
The Runner-up (#2)
Model
Breville Barista Express BES870XL
Breville Bambino BES450
Dimensions (LxWxH)
12 x 11 x 13.5 Inches
12.5 x 7.6 x 12.2 Inches
Weight
23 Pounds
12 Pounds
Color/ Material
Stainless Steel/ Brushed Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel / Brushed Stainless Steel
Power / Voltage
1600W / 110-120V
1560W / 110-120V
Grind Capacity
1/2 lb Bean Hopper 
Single or Double Shot Only
Removable Water Tank Capacity
67 Ounces
47 Ounces
Bar Pump System
15 Bar Pump System
9 Bar Pump System
Pre-Infusion Technology
Included
Not Included
Shot Size
Single (8-10g) & Double (15-18g) + Adjustable Grind Size
Single & Double Shot (18-22g)
Boiler Design
Thermocoil, Stainless Steel
ThermoJet 
Portafilter size
54 mm
54 mm 
Steam Wand
360 Degrees Swivel, 1 Hole Tip
ThermoJet Steam Wand with Swivel
Warranty
1 Year
1 Year
Interface
Analog Gauge, Button Control
Analog Gauge, Button Control
Temperature Control
Digital Temperature Control (PID)
Digital Temperature Control (PID) 
What I Like
Price
$697.99
$299.95
The Winner (#1)
Image
Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870XL, Brushed Stainless Steel
Model
Breville Barista Express BES870XL
Dimensions (LxWxH)
12 x 11 x 13.5 Inches
Weight
23 Pounds
Color/ Material
Stainless Steel/ Brushed Stainless Steel
Power / Voltage
1600W / 110-120V
Grind Capacity
1/2 lb Bean Hopper 
Removable Water Tank Capacity
67 Ounces
Bar Pump System
15 Bar Pump System
Pre-Infusion Technology
Included
Shot Size
Single (8-10g) & Double (15-18g) + Adjustable Grind Size
Boiler Design
Thermocoil, Stainless Steel
Portafilter size
54 mm
Steam Wand
360 Degrees Swivel, 1 Hole Tip
Warranty
1 Year
Interface
Analog Gauge, Button Control
Temperature Control
Digital Temperature Control (PID)
What I Like
Price
$697.99
More Info
The Runner-up (#2)
Image
Model
Breville Bambino BES450
Dimensions (LxWxH)
12.5 x 7.6 x 12.2 Inches
Weight
12 Pounds
Color/ Material
Stainless Steel / Brushed Stainless Steel
Power / Voltage
1560W / 110-120V
Grind Capacity
Single or Double Shot Only
Removable Water Tank Capacity
47 Ounces
Bar Pump System
9 Bar Pump System
Pre-Infusion Technology
Not Included
Shot Size
Single & Double Shot (18-22g)
Boiler Design
ThermoJet 
Portafilter size
54 mm 
Steam Wand
ThermoJet Steam Wand with Swivel
Warranty
1 Year
Interface
Analog Gauge, Button Control
Temperature Control
Digital Temperature Control (PID) 
What I Like
Price
$299.95

Last update on 2024-03-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Breville Barista Express vs Bambino: Differences

In order to determine the true winner of these two, I have compared their features side by side. Ultimately, the Barista Express edged out the Bambino with a score of 3-1, for the user-friendly machine.

GRINDER INCLUDED

The Winner: Breville Barista Express

Barista Express is integrated with a conical burr grinder
Barista Express is integrated with a conical burr grinder

Barista Express is integrated with a conical burr grinder. It helps you make a high-quality cup of coffee by grinding the coffee beans and then transferring them automatically into the portafilter.

There is no need to worry about the type of roast when using the Barista Express. Also, utilizing this machine’s grinder has the advantage of not requiring you to buy a new one. As a fascinating machine, the Barista Express has hoppers for beans, grinders, and frothers. And the good news for a home coffee maker is that it is easy to clean, maintain, and can be used for a long time.

The Bambino is a completely different creature. It includes a shot volume selection but no grinder, so you’ll need to buy one separately. Alternatively, you can purchase pre-ground coffee. 

TEMPERATURE

The Winner: Breville Barista Express

The Barista Express offers more precise temperature and timing control
The Barista Express offers more precise temperature and timing control

With Barista Express, you get an espresso with a balanced flavor. Compared to Bambino, it offers more precise temperature and timing control and more control over water temperature.

Maximum flavor extraction can be ensured with PID technology. Not only can you control the shot pulling time and the shot volume, but you can also control the water temperature.

There are three settings you can adjust in the Barista Express: grinder, time, and temperature. This allows you to adjust your espresso based on your interest. And as a result, making coffee at home by yourself will become more enjoyable, right?  

Pressure is also helpful because it allows you to precisely observe the results of your experiments. Now you can fine-tune on an intuitive and user-friendly machine.

PID technology on the Bambino is likewise extremely precise. The only issue is that it is automatic, which means it cannot be customized. Moreover, it is provided with pre-infusion technology, a low-pressure 8 bar system, and a heating system called ThermoJet, which makes this machine work efficiently and quickly heats water to the temperature your brew needs of seconds.

Although it is fast, Bambino’s precise control is lost. Therefore, I suggest you buy this machine if you don’t want to spend much time making a cup of coffee at home.

PERFORMANCE

The Winner: Breville Barista Express

The Barista Express allows you to change the grind, grind time, shot volume, and temperature
The Barista Express allows you to change the grind, grind time, shot volume, and temperature

With the Barista Express, you can quickly and accurately program the machine. It helps you make coffee in minutes by changing the grind, grind time, shot volume, and temperature. The result is that brewing the perfect cup of tea becomes a joy once you’re familiar with the basics.

Thanks to its outstanding programmability feature, Breville Barista Express provides you with a pamphlet that has all the useful information for a beginner. Now, pulling your first espresso is no longer difficult. 

Barista Express’ programmability, however, has only one drawback: it does not have an automatic shutdown timer.

When referring to the Bambino, it features four manual control buttons that can be pressed for manual operation. It can be used for each of the following: single and double espressos, steam, and hot water. Even if your machine is turned off, the machine will automatically remember the time for the next shot if you manually program the shot volume. However, the Bambino does not have temperature control. 

MILK FROTHING

The Winner: Breville the Bambino

The Barista Express comes with a standard micro-foam milk frother made of stainless steel and plastic. It produces a dense foam that is ideal for making lattes, cappuccinos, and flat whites. However, this machine does not meet that requirement for those who want a cup of Latte Art because it cannot produce a rich cream.

On the other hand, Breville’s Bambino can help you master latte art. Though it has a short steam wand, it is sturdy nevertheless. And as the Barista Express does, it also dispenses hot water.

Cleaning the Barista Express steam wand is one of its most difficult tasks. The reason is that immediately after use, milk solidifies on the wand. So, to remove any clumps from the surface of your wand, dampen a towel and brush it over it for a few seconds.

Using the Bambino steam wand, the steam can be generated at a temperature of as high as 266 degrees Fahrenheit. There are proper temperature controls in this ThermoJet Steam Wand so that you can make barista-quality lattes/cappuccinos without any problems. 

Breville Barista Express vs Bambino: Similarities

As a first point of the similarities, both espresso machines can create creamy and rich coffee that is strong in aroma and color. And on the top of the espresso is a thick layer of crema, making it ideal for use in a black coffee or latte cup.

The machines taste espresso intensely because they douse out between 19 and 22 grams of freshly ground coffee.

Another feature these 2 coffee machines also share is the portafilter. Both of them have a 54mm portafilter which is constructed of superior material without any plastic parts inside. Hence, I get the impression that it is not flimsy and feels very solid.

Quick Rundown Of Breville Barista Express BES870XL

Sale
Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine BES870XL, Brushed Stainless Steel
  • Earn up to $200 cashback with a Beanz coffee subscription when you purchase a selected Breville espresso machine. Valid Aug 1, 2023 until Jun 30, 2024
  • The Breville Barista Express delivers third wave specialty coffee at home using the 4 keys formula and is part of the Barista Series that offers all in one espresso machines with integrated grinder to go from beans to espresso in under one minute, helping you make the perfect cup of Cappuccino or Latte
  • DOSE CONTROL GRINDING: Integrated precision conical burr grinder grinds on demand to deliver the right amount of freshly ground coffee directly into the portafilter for your preferred taste with any roast of bean
  • OPTIMAL WATER PRESSURE: Low pressure pre-infusion gradually increases pressure at the start and helps ensure all the flavors are drawn out evenly during the extraction for a balanced tasting cup
  • PRECISE ESPRESSO EXTRACTION: Digital temperature control (PID) delivers water at precisely the right temperature, ensuring optimal espresso extraction

Last update on 2024-03-22 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Pros
  • Easy-to-use and accurate interface.
  • A portafilter and steam wand of outstanding quality.
  • It features fast and manual steaming and texturing of milk.
  • Durable stainless steel construction.
  • Auto-cleaning cycle to keep it running for long periods of time.
Cons
  • It takes a while to get accustomed to.
  • Several parts are made of plastic.

Quick Rundown Of Breville Bambino BES450

Pros
  • Performs more efficiently with greater consistency.
  • Heater with a steam wand control of high-efficiency ThermoJet technology.
  • Improves the taste of espresso by infusing low pressure..
  • The water tank is removable for easy cleaning.
Cons
  • The temperature is not programmable.

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